The Spiritual Me Chronicles: Grandma Jessie

I began to wonder how I came to be the Spiritual Me that I am today. Who and what were the influences that helped to create me? How did I get here? I'm going to take a few posts to explore my influences. 

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My first true biblical memory was my grandmother, Jessie Ray, teaching me the 23rd Psalm. I don't even remember how old I was. Maybe 3 or 4, I guess. She kept reciting it to me over and over, verse by verse, until I had memorized every word. We did it night after night, in our nightgowns, nestled together in her twin bed, her reading from a little pocket-sized bible, for I don't know how long.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;

He leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul;

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; 

Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Amen

Funny thing is, to this very day, it's the first thing I think of when I'm afraid. It's my go-to scripture when things are topsy turvy or when I don't know what to do or where to go. I shout it when I'm riding on a scary roller coaster ride, or when I find out that a friend has died from cancer. It's what I say to calm myself when I wake up from a nightmare and when I don't know what else to say in times of trouble. 

It represents for me the presence of comfort. The warmth and comfort of grandma's lap. The memory of the top of her dresser, full of lipstick tubes, a brush, hair grease and lotion; a bottle of Timeless perfume by Avon and a round container of sweet powder with its white puff. The smell and feel of her makeup sponge that she wiped on her face. Her foam wig head. My Jessie.

I wonder why, of all of the chapters and verses in the bible, did she choose this one? Could she have known of its power to calm me? Surely she didn't know I would think of her every time I said it and that it would remind me of the simple times of childhood.

What was she trying to teach me?

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want 

He makes me

He leads me

He restores me

He comforts me 

He prepares for me

He anoints me

His goodness and mercy follows me 

It's reminds me of her comfort and ultimately teaches me about God's comfort.

 

I'm surprised how often I have to remind myself that God is in control. That He is at the end of my life looking backwards. The 23rd Psalm speaks to all that God does to bring me through. What an amazing first lesson. 

Jessie taught me so much more. We'll delve into it all bit by bit. 

In love,

Mona